초광역협력의 정보공개와주민참여 방안에 관한 고찰 - 일본 광역연대제도와의 비교를 중심으로 -

Supra-regional cooperation, institutionalized as a special-purpose local government under the Local Autonomy Act, was introduced to enable multiple local governments to jointly manage wide-area affairs and to address regional disparities and the risk of local extinction. Ensuring the stability and sustainability of such cooperation requires robust systems of information disclosure and residents’ participation. This study examines the legal framework and operational practices of information disclosure and participation in Japan’s wide-area collaboration, and explores implications for Korea’s system. In Japan, some wide-area unions have enhanced effectiveness and democratic legitimacy by establishing information disclosure review bodies, operating electronic disclosure systems, guaranteeing residents’ rights to direct petitions and bylaw amendments, and mandating public opinion procedures prior to agreements. By contrast, Korea’s wide-area union face operational limitations in information disclosure, lack direct petition rights, and rely on ad hoc measures such as briefings and consultations, making them vulnerable to political changes. Accordingly, Korea should specify the contents of disclosure ordinances in law, establish periodic disclosure and performance evaluation systems, institutionalize residents’ direct petition rights, and mandate multi-stage opinion-gathering procedures. Such legal and institutional reforms will strengthen administrative transparency and democratic legitimacy, thereby contributing to the stable and sustainable operation of supra-regional cooperation.